I have to admit, I was amused by the reaction towards that whole Janet Jackson thing by the US media. I was doubly amused upon seeing it reported on our own news programs, all in it's uncensored glory* on the 6pm news. I felt that I was living in a nation that was far less sensitive towards such nonsense, and that we didn't share the same hangups towards sex and violence as our northern friends. It seems, however, that I only felt that way because I wasn't paying any attention. In many ways, we are slowly approaching puritanism. In other aspects, we're already there.
Lately, there has been a lot of
talk regarding Big Brother Uncut. Now, I don't know about you, but I don't see how there can be any confusion regarding the shows content. The advertisements make it quite clear in regards to the programme's content, it has an appropriate rating and warning, and it's on late at night. Rather than decide to take it into your own hands to declare what we should and should not be allowed to see, I feel that individuals of conservative taste and morals should exercise their right to not watch the bloody thing. Should you happen to accidentally come across someone's genitals whilst channel surfing, please, change the channel - don't continue to watch the programme for 10 more minutes and then write in to the Daily Telegraph to complain.
Regarding the article, there are flaws in some of the statements. The section in question should be written as following, with my additions capitalised.
On the inside: Penis rubbed on woman's back. WOMAN MAKES COMPLAINT. SEXUAL ASSAULT (CATEGORY 2), PUBLIC EXPOSURE AND LEWD BEHAVIOUR. PENALTY: FIVE YEARS IN GAOL.
On the outside: PENIS RUBBED ON WOMAN'S BACK. WOMAN MAKES COMPLAINT. Sexual Assault (Category 2), public exposure and lewd behaviour. Penalty: Five years in GAOL.
On the inside: Man grabs a woman's breast and calls her a "whorebag". WOMAN MAKES COMPLAINT. SEXUAL ASSAULT (CATEGORY 2), OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR. PENALTY: FIVE YEARS IN GAOL.
On the outside:MAN GRABS A WOMAN'S BREAST AND CALLS HER A "WHOREBAG". WOMAN MAKES COMPLAINT. Sexual assault (Category 2), offensive behaviour. Penalty: Five years IN GAOL.
On the inside: Demeaning conversation about genitalia. PERSON MAKES COMPLAINT. OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL HARASSMENT. PENALTY: TWO YEARS IN GAOL.
On the outside:DEMEANING CONVERSATION ABOUT GENITALIA. PERSON MAKES COMPLAINT. Offensive behaviour, sexual harassment. Penalty: Two years IN GAOL.
Yes, not only did I call into question the arguments, I also edited the spelling, punctuation and made the sentences more consistent with each other. It's no surprise there's no name to go with that story! Another point I take issue with is the concern over Big Brother largest audience - teenagers. Have you ever heard what young adults speak about? Ever been one yourself? For the past several thousand years, the prime topic for discussion among adolescents is sex, and their method of speech has always been one that isn't approved of by society as a whole. Filing complaints against the network that brings us the delightful
Toadie will not change what is fundamental to human development.
All this thinking of the children fails to give thought to what sort of people the children will grow up to be.
*Ok, there's nothing glorious about a pierced nipple. Yuck.